The Notorious Landlady (1962)

Fred Astaire: Franklyn Ambruster

Photos 

Quotes 

• William 'Bill' Gridley : Sir, if I may, I don't think you're taking the proper share of the blame...

  Franklyn Ambruster : Gridley, you will learn that the higher your position, the more mistakes you're allowed. In fact, if you make enough of them, it's considered your style. Now you happen to be in what I would call a one-mistake position, and you've made it.

• Franklyn Ambruster : He just started work today.

  Police Sgt. Dillings : Well, let's hope he shows up tomorrow.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Gridley, if that story had appeared you would have been in very deep trouble both here and in Washington. And when one of my people is in trouble, I am in trouble. I want you to know that I have no intention of watching you go down the drain and using my career as a raft.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Then tell me one good thing about this morning, except that it's your last one in London.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Is that clear to you, inspector?

  Inspector Oliphant : Ummm. Probably.

• Franklyn Ambruster : What's the dope on the character you followed?

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Oh, the character I followed turned out to be a minister and let's hope I didn't upset his boss by trailing him.

• Franklyn Ambruster : We go where we can serve, not necessarily where we can amuse ourselves.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Oh, I wasn't complaining, sir.

  Franklyn Ambruster : Of course not.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Be prepared to give us a report on the report in the morning.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Right, sir.

• Franklyn Ambruster : If you foul up, Gridley, I'll have you back in the Sahara so fast you'll think London was a mirage.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : In other words, if she knows I know, I go.

  Franklyn Ambruster : That's exactly right. And I hope you haven't taken to talking in rhyme.

• Franklyn Ambruster : I think I'm beginning to see how your mind works, and it frightens me.

• Ambruster's Secretary : Good morning, sir. Mr. Gridley is waiting and the Russian embassy called to...

  Franklyn Ambruster : Never mind about the Russians. Mr. Gridley has become much more of a menace.

• Franklyn Ambruster : ...she couldn't possibly have done it.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : [Pointing at himself excitedly and nodding his head]  That's your discovery?

  Franklyn Ambruster : With you, it was an opinion. With me, it's a conviction.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Gridley couldn't have done that.

  Inspector Oliphant : Maybe not, sir, but the death rate has certainly gone up since he arrived in London.

• Franklyn Ambruster : I'm hanging up as soon as I get my foot out of my mouth. Did I call you at an inopportune moment again?

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Most inopportune, sir.

  Franklyn Ambruster : Then you have my full permission to hang up on me.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Gridley, speaking not as a man, but as a member of the United States government, you have exactly one hour to get your things out of that house.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : That's wrong, sir. I have half an hour. She just threw me out.

• Franklyn Ambruster : I understand you've been in Saudi Arabia.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Yes.

  Franklyn Ambruster : I was there myself once. Quite a stimulating two weeks.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Well, thank you. I was there for two years, sir. Time changes your point of view.

• Franklyn Ambruster : I'm trying to track down an elusive thought. Does the name Mrs. Hardwicke of Grey Square mean anything to you?

• Franklyn Ambruster : I have yet to meet the Landlady one invites out to dinner.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : Oh, well, she's an American. She's - well, may I speak off the record, sir?

  Franklyn Ambruster : You may.

  William 'Bill' Gridley : I would say, confidentially that she's about 36-23-36.

  Franklyn Ambruster : That would sound good even on the record.

• Franklyn Ambruster : The Chief is a stickler for proper conduct all the way down the line. Stay on top of your job here, keep your personal life tidy, and I can assure you a happy stay in London.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Oh, my boy, my boy. I mean, you've got a lot to learn. I've had 20 years experience with every kind of incident and many kinds of women. And I take great pride in my ability to see beneath the surface of the most guileless female. Now, in time, you too may acquire that ability. But, just for now, suppose you go to your office, gather up your little bits and pieces, its a long way to Tierra del Fuego.

• William 'Bill' Gridley : This was not Carly's fault.

  Franklyn Ambruster : Stop worrying about Mrs. Bluebeard.

• Franklyn Ambruster : Your photographs don't really do you justice.

  Mrs. Carlyle Hardwicke : Well, the lightings not terribly good in police stations.

• Franklyn Ambruster : You have hazel eyes, as guileless and innocent as a child's. Its easy to understand why he's so devoted to you. In fact, if I were a younger man, I'd wished I had answered your ad instead of Gridley.